The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced new measures aimed at protecting parents’ rights in pediatric healthcare decisions. The department has begun an investigation into a complaint involving a Midwestern school that allegedly vaccinated a child with a federally provided vaccine without parental consent, despite the submission of a religious exemption under state law.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stated, “Today, we are putting pediatric medical professionals on notice: you cannot sideline parents. When providers ignore parental consent, violate exemptions to vaccine mandates, or keep parents in the dark about their children’s care, we will act decisively. We will use every tool at our disposal to protect families and restore accountability.”
The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is leading the investigation to determine if the school failed to comply with requirements under the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC). This program provides vaccines purchased by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but conditions federal provision on adherence to state religious and other exemptions from compulsory vaccination. OCR will also review how state agencies and school districts process religious exemption requests when implementing VFC.
Jim O’Neill, Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary and CDC Acting Director, commented on the matter: “The Vaccines for Children Program should never circumvent parents’ rights. Secretary Kennedy’s decision to probe potential abuse of the VFC is a necessary step in restoring public trust in immunization policy.”
Additionally, OCR issued guidance reminding healthcare providers that federal law requires them to give parents access to their children’s health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. The letter clarifies that parents who have legal authority over their minor children can exercise rights regarding protected health information, including access rights. OCR has also initiated compliance reviews among large healthcare providers to ensure timely parental access.
In another move, HHS directed the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to update grant requirements so that all recipients must comply with applicable federal and state laws regarding parental consent before providing services or care to minors at HRSA-supported health centers. This applies across all types of care—including treatment, preventive services, counseling, and sensitive topics such as sexual identity or reproductive health—ensuring existing legal obligations are explicitly outlined as funding conditions.
Individuals who believe their health information privacy or civil rights have been violated may file complaints with OCR.
